Hand iron

ABSTRACT

An electrically heated steam and vacuum hand iron. A vacuum port is provided at the periphery of the soleplate of the iron and outwardly of the steam discharge apertures in the soleplate to extract steam and moisture from the pressed fabric, more quickly to dry the pressed fabric, thereby to speed hand ironing operations.

United States Patent Anderson [451 Dec. 19, 1972 [54] HAND IRON [72]Inventor: Arvid B. Anderson, Park Ridge, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Bishop Freeman Company, Evanston,lll.

[22] Filed: March 29, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 129,054

[52] U.S.Cl ..38/75 [51] Int. Cl. moans/0o {58] Field ofSearch.....'....38/77.6, 75, 74, 77.1, 77.5,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,402,575 6ll94 Purpura ss/7s 2,029,112 H1936 Maitzen ..38/75 2,285,757 6/1942 Smith ...38/77.62,427,474 9/1947 Purpura ..38/75 Primary Examiner- Patrick D. LawsonAttorney-Dressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon [57] ABSTRACT Anelectrically heated steam and vacuum hand iron. A

vacuum port is provided at the periphery of the soleplate of the ironand outwardly of the steam discharge apertures in the soleplate toextract steam and moisture from the pressed fabric, more quickly to drythe pressed fabric, thereby to speed hand ironing operations.

4 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEUBEB 1 m2 3 706, 14s

SHEET 2 BF 2 HAND IRON This invention relates to an improved heated handiron, and, more particularly, to an electrically heated hand iron forsimultaneously heating, steaming and vacuuming fabrics and garments tobe pressed.

A wide variety of heated hand irons is presently available. Normallysuch heated hand irons define steam discharge apertures through whichsteam is discharged outwardly into a garment to be pressed. Those ironswhich are generally available for use in the home normally generatesteam internally, which steam is then discharged through the soleplateto steam and dampen the material to be pressed. Frequently commercialhand irons utilize steam which is produced in an independent steamgenerator. With that type of heated hand iron, steam is normallyconducted to, thence through the body of the soleplate of the iron tosteam discharge apertures in the soleplate. Such heated hand ironsnormally employ electric resistance heaters for heating the soleplate ofthe irons themselves.

Although those irons which are presently available adequately steam andmoisten fabrics and garments to be pressed, it is not until the moistureis subsequently extracted or removed from the garment or fabric 'thatthe garment or fabric is fully ready for hanging on hangers, or for use,etc. As such, the speed and effectiveness of hand-pressing operations,as in commercial establishments, such as dry cleaning establishments, isdependent, at least in part, upon the drying of steamed garments andfabrics.

In accordance with this invention, means for drying steamed garments andfabrics, and for extracting moisture therefrom, simultaneously, orsubstantially simultaneously, with a hand ironing operation, areprovided. To that end, an electrically heated hand iron, such as astream iron, is provided with a vacuum port means at the peripheral edgeof the soleplate, and outwardly or outboard of the steam dischargeapertures provided by the soleplate. The port means is in communicationwith a vacuum conduit which is adapted to be joined to a source ofvacuum. As such, vacuum may be continuously drawn through the portmeans. As soon as the soleplate of the iron has steamed and pressed aportion of a garment or fabric, and as it moves, the port passes overthe moistened portion where it draws a vacuum to remove the last tracesof the injected moisture.

It has been found that a heated hand iron incorporating such a vacuumsystem, and particularly a steam iron, will speed a steam hand ironingoperation, hence will improve the final finish imparted to garments andfabrics to be pressed. Indeed, a hand iron of this invention may beused, for example, on a garment hung on a hanger, and remote from anironing board, to steam and dry, or to steam and finish the garment orfabric.

Further objects, advantages, and features of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description and drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of a heatedhand iron of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view, partially broken away, of the iron ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the soleplate of theiron of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a further embodiment of a heated hand iron ofthis invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a soleplate of yet another heated hand ironof this invention;

FIGS. 9 to 11 are cross-sectional views of FIG. 8, taken along the linesindicated in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another heated hand iron of this invention.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, inelusive, a steam andvacuum, heated hand iron 10 is seen to include a soleplate 12 and ahandle 14. The soleplate provides an expansive flat ironing surface 32,has a wide rear end and gradually tapers to a point at its forward tipedge (see FIG. 3). Soleplate 12is heated by an electrical resistanceheating element 16 of a conventional type, which element is under thecontrol of a temperature switch 26. The-heating element 16 is held flatandin firm engagement with the soleplate 12 by a holddown clamp 18.Clamp 18 also securely and firmly holds a vacuum hood 20 in place.

Hold-down clamp 18, vacuum hood 20, and heating element 16 aremaintained in the respective positions illustrated in FIG. l'by a seriesof nuts 21 which are threaded on a pair of studs (see studs 86 in FIG.6), secured at the upper surface of soleplate 12. The clamp 18 iscovered by a cover 22, which in turn is held in position, as by acornnuts 24, also threaded on the studs. Handle 14 is mounted on a pair ofbrackets 28, the lower ends of which are also suitably secured to thestuds, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Soleplate 12 itself may be constructed generally in accordance with US.Pat. No. 2,285,757. To that end, a desired pattern of steam dischargeapertures 30 open downwardly and outwardly in the flat ironing surface32 of soleplate 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Steam discharge apertures 30open inwardly in a steam discharge chamber 34. Chamber 34 is suppliedwith steam from a source of steam connected to steam inlet 35. Steampasses inwardly through inlet 35, to which a suitable fitting 40 andsteam hose may be connected, and through a series of internal passages,such as expansion chambers 36, which are connected in series byconnecting passages 38, thence into discharge chamber 34. Becausesoleplate 12 is heated by heating element 16, any entrained moisturewill be converted into steam, so that only dry steam will bedischargedthrough apertures 30.

Heating element 16 is provided with current through a source ofelectrical power, such as cord 42. The conductors of cord 42 aresuitably connected to terminals 44 of heating element 16, throughtemperature control switch 26.

Steam is intermittently supplied to steam inlet 35 through fitting 40,and generally in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No.2,285,757. Desirably, the steam is generated at a remote location, andis allowed to enter inlet 35 in response to operation of a steam switch46. Steam switch 46 is adapted electrically to signal a remotesolenoid-operated valve when steam is desired, thereby to permit steamfrom the steam generator to pass through a steam hose (not shown) tofitting 40.

Although steam is provided upon demand only, in the embodiment of FIG. 1suction is provided continuously. However, vacuum may also be under thecontrol of a switch for intermittent operation.

As illustrated in the drawings, vacuum hood overlies and sealinglysurrounds and circumscribes the soleplate 12. That is to say, that thehood 20 and soleplate 12 define a channel means or port 50 completelycircumscribing the soleplate, which port is defined by the peripheraledge of the soleplate and the inner surface of the vacuum hood 20. Thehood is closely adjacent the peripheral edge of the soleplate. As bestseen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the port 50 is positioned outwardly or outboardof the steam discharge apertures 30, and opens downwardly, so that asthe iron is moved sideways, for example, the steam which was dischargedinto the underlying fabric'or garment, and which was converted intomoisture,.will be subjected to vacuum and suction to remove the excessmoisture, thereby to complete the steam ironing operation. The port 50is in communication witha vacuumconduit 52, which in turn is adapted tobe joined to a vacuum hose or the like which is directly connected to asource of suction.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, the channel or port 50 is continuousand indeed extends around the entire periphery of the soleplate.Preferably, however, it changes in cross-section from rear to front toprovide more uniform suction force at all locations. Further, as bestseen in FIG. 4, the peripheral edge 54 of hood 20 ends slightly abovesurface 32 to facilitate the use of the iron 10.

A further iron having a soleplate 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.Soleplate 60 provides an upper surface 62 and a lower flat ironingsurface 64. At the forward end of lower ironing surface 64, a pluralityof steam discharge apertures 66 are provided. These may be supplied withsteam through an internal steam passage 68- and a steam tube 70. Steamtube 70 is suitably joined to a steam generator (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, a vacuum channel or port comprises aplurality of spaced vacuum openings 72, 74 in the flat lower ironingsurface 64. Openings 72 are positioned outboard of the steam dischargeapertures 66, and are positioned at one side edge of the soleplate,whereas openings 74 are positioned at the other side edge of thesoleplate. Openings 72, 74 are in communication with vacuum passages 76,78, respectively. Each of the passages, 76, 78, it will be seen in FIG.6, is wide at the rear of the soleplate and is narrower at the front ofthe soleplate, the purpose of which is to balance the suction forcesalong the side edges, thereby to maintain, as closely as possible, a

generally uniform suction force from the rear to the tip edge of thesoleplate. Each of the port passages 76, 78 is independently andseparately in communication with a vacuum conduit 80, 82, although atthe remote outer ends, conduits 80, 82 may be joined together and to asuitable common vacuum hose 84 or the like.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 provides two port sections, hence twoindependent peripheral suction zones, one at each side and each adjacentthe periphery of the soleplate, thereby to enhance the suction effectcreated.

Studs 86 may be utilized to mount and secure an electric heating element16, a clamp 18, and a suitable cover, as well as a handle 14, allgenerally in accordance with the description of FIGS. 1 to 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 11, a further iron having a soleplate 100 isseen to comprise an upper surface 102 and a lower flat ironing surface104. Soleplate 100 may be similar to that of FIG. 6, and is similarlymounted in an iron having a handle 14, a heating element 16, a hold-downclamp 18, and a suitable cover.

Soleplate defines a steam chamber 106 communicating with a series ofsteam discharge apertures 108. Steam is supplied through steam passage109. A first suction zone, generally V-shaped at the tip of thesoleplate, is defined by a first port section 1 10, which is incommunication with a suction source through a vacuum passage 112, asuction tube 114 and a suction conduit 116. Port section is positionedat the periphery of the soleplate and outboard of apertures 108.

A second port section 120, which is generally U- shaped, extendsperipherally around the sides and rear edge of the iron. Thisport is incommunication with suction tube 122, which is also connected to suctionconduit 116.

It will be seen that the continuous channels or ports 110, functionsimilarly to the discontinuous ports comprising the series of openings72, 74 of FIGS. 6 and 7. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 8 a pair ofsuction zones, one forward and one rearward, are provided.

Referring now to FIG. 12, yet another embodiment of an iron of thisinvention is illustrated. Soleplate 130, thereof, having a bottom flatironing surface 132, defines a steam chamber 134 and a series of steamdischarge apertures 136. Apertures 136 are supplied with steam through asteam passage 138. A triangular continuous suction-port 140circumscribing the apertures 136 is provided in the forward half orforward portion of the soleplate. A suction source is suitably connectedto a suction passage 142.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, port legs 144 are located at the sideedges or periphery of the soleplate, and a further port element 146joins the legs rearwardly of the steam apertures 136. Thus, as the ironincorporating soleplate is used, no matter how the iron is moved, excessmoisture is removed, and, for example, much closer to the steamapertures than in the embodiment of FIG. 8 where a rear port element isat the very back of the iron.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there has been shown and described in detail preferredembodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the presentdisclosure is intended as an exemplification of the principles of theinvention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodimentsillustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A heated hand iron having a handle and a soleplate providing anexpansive flat ironing surface, means for heating said soleplate to anelevated temperature, port means along the peripheral edge of saidsoleplate and opening downwardly adjacent said ironing surface, saidport means comprising a plurality of spaced openings in said flatironing surface adjacent the peripheral edge of said soleplate, and avacuum conduit, said conduit being in communication with said port meansand being adapted to be joined to a source of vacuum, whereby vacuum maybe drawn through said port means when said hand iron is in use, andwherein said soleplate has a wide rear end and gradually tapers to apoint at its forward edge and defines a plurality of steam dischargeapertures opening downwardly into said ironing surface and communicatingwith internal steam passages for transmitting steam to said apertures,said port means being positioned outwardly of said apertures.

2. A heated hand iron having a handle and a soleplate providing anexpansive flat ironing surface,

means for heating said soleplate to an elevated temperature, port meansalong the peripheral edge of said soleplate and opening downwardlyadjacent said'ironing surface, and a vacuum conduit, said port meansdefining at least two independent port sections, each separately incommunication with said vacuum conduit, whereby independent peripheralvacuum zones are provided, said conduitbeing in communication with saidport means and being adapted to be joined to a source of vacuum, wherebyvacuum may be drawn through said port means when said hand iron is inuse, and wherein said soleplate has a wide rear end and gradually tapersto a point at its forward edge and defines a plurality of steamdischarge apertures opening downwardly into said ironing surface andcommunicating with internal steam passages for transmitting steam tosaid apertures, said port means being positioned outwardly of saidapertures.

3. A heated hand iron having a handle and a soleplate providing anexpansive flat ironing surface, means for heating said soleplate to anelevated temperature, port means along the peripheral edge of saidsoleplate and opening downwardly adjacent said ironing surface, and avacuum conduit, said conduit being in communication with said port meansand being adapted to be joined to a source of vacuum and wherein saidsoleplate defines said port means, and further defines vacuum passagemeans in communication with said port and with said vacuum conduit,whereby vacuum may be drawn through said port means when said hand ironis in use, and wherein said soleplate has a wide rear end and graduallytapers to a point at its forward edge and defines a plurality of steamdischarge apertures opening downwardly into said ironing surface andcommunicating with internal steam passages for transmitting steam tosaid apertures,

' said port means being positioned outwardly of said apertures.

4. A heated hand iron having a handle and a soleplate providing anexpansive flat ironing surface, means for heating said soleplate to anelevated temperature, port means along the peripheral edge of saidsoleplate and opening downwardly adjacent said ironing surface, and avacuum conduit, said conduit being in communication with said port meansand being adapted to be joined to a source of vacuum, whereby vacuum maybe drawn through said port means when said hand iron is in use, andwherein said soleplate has a wide rear end and gradually tapers to apoint at its forward edge and defines a plurality of steam dischargeapertures opening downwardly into said ironing surface and communicatingwith internal steam passages for transmitting steam to said apertures,said port means being positioned outwardly of said apertures, said portmeans being generally triangular in shape and substantiallycircumscribing said steam discharge apertures, and being entirelypositioned in the forward portion of the soleplate.

UNITED S'ILATES. PATENT omcii CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,706,1 6 Dated December 19,1972

Inventor(s) Arvid B. Anderson It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that seid Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 19, "holddown" should be hold-down Claim 3, column 6,line t, after "port" insert means Signed jand sealed.this-8th day of My1973 (SEAL) Attest L II JWAHD M. FLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALKAttesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

1. A heated hand iron having a handle and a soleplate providing anexpansive flat ironing surface, means for heating said soleplate to anelevated temperature, port means along the peripheral edge of saidsoleplate and opening downwardly adjacent said ironing surface, saidport means comprising a plurality of spaced openings in said flatironing surface adjacent the peripheral edge of said soleplate, and avacuum conduit, said conduit being in communication with said port meansand being adapted to be joined to a source of vacuum, whereby vacuum maybe drawn through said port means when said hand iron is in use, andwherein said soleplate has a wide rear end and gradually tapers to apoint at its forward edge and defines a plurality of steam dischargeapertures opening downwardly into said ironing surface and communicatingwith internal steam passages for transmitting steam to said apertures,said port means being positioned outwardly of said apertures.
 2. Aheated hand iron having a handle and a soleplate providing an expansiveflat ironing surface, means for heating said soleplate to an elevatedtemperature, port means along the peripheral edge of said soleplate andopening downwardly adjacent said ironing surface, and a vacuum conduit,said port means defining at least two independent port sections, eachseparately in communication with said vacuum conduit, wherebyindependent peripheral vacuum zones are provided, said conduit being incommunication with said port means and being adapted to be joined to asource of vacuum, whereby vacuum may be drawn through said port meanswhen said hand iron is in use, and wherein said soleplate has a widerear end and gradually tapers to a point at its forward edge and definesa plurality of steam discharge apertures opening downwardly into saidironing surface and communicating with internal steam passages fortransmitting steam to said apertures, said port means being positionedoutwardly of said apertures.
 3. A heated hand iron having a handle and asoleplate providing an expansive flat ironing surface, means for heatingsaid soleplate to an elevated temperature, port means along theperipheral edge of said soleplate and opening downwardly adjacent saidironing surface, and a vacuum conduit, said conduit being incommunication with said port means and being adapted to be joined to asource of vacuum and wherein said soleplate defines said port means, andfurther Defines vacuum passage means in communication with said port andwith said vacuum conduit, whereby vacuum may be drawn through said portmeans when said hand iron is in use, and wherein said soleplate has awide rear end and gradually tapers to a point at its forward edge anddefines a plurality of steam discharge apertures opening downwardly intosaid ironing surface and communicating with internal steam passages fortransmitting steam to said apertures, said port means being positionedoutwardly of said apertures.
 4. A heated hand iron having a handle and asoleplate providing an expansive flat ironing surface, means for heatingsaid soleplate to an elevated temperature, port means along theperipheral edge of said soleplate and opening downwardly adjacent saidironing surface, and a vacuum conduit, said conduit being incommunication with said port means and being adapted to be joined to asource of vacuum, whereby vacuum may be drawn through said port meanswhen said hand iron is in use, and wherein said soleplate has a widerear end and gradually tapers to a point at its forward edge and definesa plurality of steam discharge apertures opening downwardly into saidironing surface and communicating with internal steam passages fortransmitting steam to said apertures, said port means being positionedoutwardly of said apertures, said port means being generally triangularin shape and substantially circumscribing said steam dischargeapertures, and being entirely positioned in the forward portion of thesoleplate.